Decisions are close on fate of the non-League football season

The United Counties League season looks set to end early due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The football season for the likes of Cogenhoe United and ON Chenecks is overThe football season for the likes of Cogenhoe United and ON Chenecks is over
The football season for the likes of Cogenhoe United and ON Chenecks is over

Reports today (Tuesday) suggested a decision had been reached to bring the season to an early finish after a meeting between clubs at Step 5 and 6 and the Football Association.

However, the decision is yet to be ratified as clubs wait to find out what steps will be taken.

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The Southern League, meanwhile, confirmed in a statement today that they, along with the Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues are "unanimous" in recommending to the FA that their seasons be terminated immediately, which would mean AFC Rushden & Diamonds' and Corby Town's respective campaigns would be over.

However, it's understood that the National League, in which Kettering Town play in the North, wish to be able to resume the season at some stage.

Discussions are due to take place to decide how the league tables would look should the seasons be terminated or whether the 2019-20 season should be null and void.

In their statement today, the Southern League said: "The Step 3 & 4 Leagues share clubs’ frustration that it is taking so long to determine whether the 2019-20 season is to end now, and if so on what basis.

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"To maintain the integrity of our competitions, we ideally need to apply one solution across all of the National League System. However, this may not be possible.

"The Southern, Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues are unanimous in wanting to terminate the 2019-20 season immediately.

"Whether that is done on the basis of determining final placings via average points per game, or the season is declared null and void cannot be decided until the National League decides how it wishes to proceed.

"Right now, the National League’s position is that they wish to be able to resume the 2019-20 season at some point. The feeder leagues do not support this because our clubs do not have the financial resources to continue to honour player contracts indefinitely.

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"The Southern, Isthmian and Northern Premier Leagues have therefore implemented the process to terminate the season. This has to be ratified by FA council, so there may be a short delay as the relevant documentation is submitted, distributed and approved.

"Whilst this process is on-going, and once the National League has finalised how it wishes to proceed, competition issues can then be decided, together with the implications for promotion and relegation."